Bung and a method of making bungs



y 1935- H. H. BROCMKMEYER 0 BUNG AND A METHOD OF MAKING BUNGS Filed Aug. 18, 1934 4& 8.

INVENTOR. HB'mfY H .BRO am mg? ATTORNEY.

Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUNG AND A METHOD OF MAKING BUNGS Henry H. Brockmeyer, Cincinnati, Ohio Application August 18, 1934,. Serial No. 740,425

4 Claims.

\ The invention relates to means particularly adapted to prevent seepage of liquids through,

bung and in many instances, especially for the reason that presently bungs usually are constructed from wood derived from relatively small trees, the grain does not extend parallel with the inner and outer surfaces of the bung but curves inwardly or outwardly whereby the liquid, particularly beer, which is underrelatively heavy pressure within the container, is adapted to seep through the pores in the wood of the bung, or through the channels adjacent the grain. Moreover, the pressure of air or gases within the container is reduced as by escape of such air or gases through the pores or channels, in the bung, adjacent the grain, simultaneously when the liquid within the container seeps therethrough. Since it is advantageous to retain the air or gas pressure within the container, as well as prevent seepage of the liquid from within said container outwardly through the bung, any leakage of air or seepage of liquid is undesirable.

Therefore, an important object of the invention is to provide simple, elficient, practical andeconomical means to prevent passage ofair or gases through a bung and to prevent seepage of liquid through said bung.

Other objects of the invention are to provide dependable means adapted to render the inner surface of a bung impervious to liquids, such as beer, whiskey, and the like; and to provide means which is unlikely to interfere or retard natural expansion of said bung, when contacted by said liquid, for the purpose of sealing the bung hole in which said bung is positioned.

Other objects of the invention are apparent by reference to the hereinafter description.

The invention consists in providing a shield or coating attached to the inner surface of said bung.

The invention, also, consists in the combination of the elements, arrangement of the parts and in the details of the construction, as hereinafter fully explained.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a bottom view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view, showing a modified form of the invention;

, Fig. 6 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 'lis a plan view showing still another modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 8-8 in Fig. 7.

In the preferred construction of the invention, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I provide the usual cylindrical bring I having the inwardly inclined side edges 2. The bung is formed from any suitable material, such as wood, and has its inner side 3 compressed. 0n the inner side 3 is fixed the coating 4 formed from shellac.

When the bung I is inserted in the .usual'bung hole in the conventional keg or container (not shown) the liquid within the container is adapted to contact the side edges 2, of the bung l, and

cause the bung to expand or swell in sealing contact with the walls of the bung hole. The liquid, and gas or air pressure, within the container, is adapted to contact the coating 4 on the inner surface 3 of the bung and prevent seepage or escape of said liquid or gas or air pressure from within the container and outwardly through pores or channels adjacent the grain of the wood from which the bung I is formed.

In Figs. 3 and 4 are shown a modification of the invention which comprises the bung 5 having the usual cylindrical-shape orifice 6 in its outer side I which may be utilized for the purpose of receiving a suitable tool for inserting into or removing the bung from the usual bung hole in the conventional keg or container (not shown). The inner side 8 of the bung has compressed therein the recess 9 whose side walls ID are inclined outwardly less steel. The recess 9 may be pressed, by suitable machinery, in the inner side or end 8 of the bung 5, whereby the pores and grain of the wood which run transversely of the axis of the bung,

from which the bung 5 is formed, are compressed.

When the bung 5 is inserted in the usual bung hole in the usual keg or container (not shown) the liquid and air or gas pressure, within the container contacts the outer surface of the plate ll and is prevented from passing through the pores or channels of the bung 5.

In Figs. 5 and 6 is shown still another modification of the invention which comprises the bung I2 having formed in its outer surface l3 the orifice I4 for receiving a suitable removal tool. The inner side I5, of the bung I2, is compressed. Fixed to the inner side l5, of the bung I2, is the cup I6, which may be formed from any suitable metal, such as stainless steel. The rim ll, of the cut I6, is embedded in the bung. I

When the bung I2 is inserted in the usual bung hole in the usual keg or container (not shown) the liquid and air or gas pressure, within the container contacts the outer surface of the cup I8 and is prevented from passing through the pores, channels, or other passages, in the bung l2.

In Figs. 7 and 8 is shown still another modified form of the invention which comprises the bung l8 having pressed in its inner side l9 the corrugations 20. When the corrugations 20 are pressed into the inner surface of a bung, by any suitable mechanism, the inner surface of the bung is compressed whereby any pores, channels, or other passages, which may extend from the inner surface l9 to the outer surface 2!, of the bung l8, are closed. The coating 22, formed from shellac, is fixed to the corrugations 20.

When thebung I8 is inserted in the usual bung hole in the usual keg or container (not shown) the liquid and air or gas pressure, within the container contacts the outer surface of the coating 22 and is prevented from passing through the pores, channels, or other passages, which may extend from the inner surface I9 to the outer surface 2| of the bung l8.

An advantage of the invention is that the liquid within the container, in which the bung is positioned, is permitted to contact the tapered side edges of the bung for the purpose of permitting the bung to swell or expand in sealing contact with the walls of the bung hole in which the bung is positioned, and yet the liquid, or gas or air pressure, within the container is prevented from seeping or escaping through the pores, channels,

or other passages, which may extend from the inner to the outer sides of the bung.

Still another advantage of the invention is that the inner side of the bung may be quickly and economically prepared for the purpose of preventing said seepage or escape of said liquid,

gas or air pressure from within the container outwardly through the bung.

It is, therefore, quite apparent that I have invented a highly desirable and practical device for the purposes intended and which may be utilized with dependability for the purpose of sealing the inner side of a bung to prevent passage of liquid, gases or air through the bung.

While I believe that the form of the invention illustrated in the drawing and referred to in the above description, as the preferred embodiment, is efiicient and practicable, yet realizing that the conditions concurrent with the adoption of the device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize the fact that changes in the details may be resorted to, when required, without sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the claims.

Various changes may be made in the general form and arrangement of mechanical parts described without departing from the invention. Hence I do not limit myself to the precise details of the materials or the size and shape thereof as set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended and final claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wooden bung having the grain running transverse of its axis, the inner end of said bung being coated with shellac, and said shellac being bonded to and compressed within and around the fibres of said inner end.

2. A wooden bung having the grain running transverse of its axis, the inner end of said bung being coated with water resistant material, and said water resistant material being bonded to and compressed within and around the fibres of said inner end.

3. A wooden bung, as defined in claim 2 having the fibres at the inner end of the bung in corrugated compressed condition.

4. The method of producing a wooden bung consisting of forming a plug of wood with its grain transverse of its axis and its inner end being coated with wet shellac, and then while said shellac is still soft compressing the inner end of the plug sufiiciently to cause the shellac to permeate within and around the fibres of said inner end.

HENRY H. BROCKMEYER. 

